Collapsible reading stand



Oct.

H. B. SVATOS COLLAPSIBLE READING STAND Filed May 23, 1951 INVEN TOR.

. HOWARD e. suaros Patented Oct. 12, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE READING STAND Howard B. Svatos, Cleveland, Ohio Application May 23, 1951, Serial No. 227,814

4 Claims.

This invention relates to article supports or holders and more particularly to .a collapsible device for supporting books, magazines or sheets of paper in a convenient position for the reading thereof so that it is not necessary that the book or other reading material be held by the reader, though it is to be noted that in some of the claims the invention is not limited to the specific purpose of the support or holder.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a collapsible reading stand which may be readily and easily set up on the arms of a chair or on a bed in front of and over the legs of the user and which stand is easily adjusted to support a book or other reading material in the desired position and does not interfere with the free leg or body movement of the user or require that the user hold the reading stand in any particular position.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a device of the character described, improved interlocking means for securing the separable parts of the device together and in assembled relation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reading stand of the character described which may be folded or collapsed so as to occupy relatively small space for convenience of storage, shipping, packing, or carrying.

A still further object of. the invention is to provide a collapsible reading stand which is comparatively light in weight, and of simple and inexpensive construction, yet strong, durable, and reliable in operation. 7

These and other objects and advantageous features of the invention not at this time moreparticularly pointed out will become more apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible reading stand embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is a. fragmentary end elevational view with parts broken away and in. section of the device illustrated in Figure 1, and

.Figure 3 is an enlarged detail illustrating the joint between the separable parts of the collapsiblestand.

With reference to the accompanying drawing, there is illustrated a collapsible reading stand made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention including a pair of spaced frame members ID and II, each including a channel- 2 shaped base member I2, arranged-with the-channel. opening upward. Spaced along the bottom wall of the channel member I2 are a plurality of upwardly projecting tangs I3 suitably cut out of the base of the member t2, the purpose of which will be pointed out hereinafter. Hinged .to the forward. end of each of the base members I2 as at I 4 is an upwardly extended channelshaped supporting member [5 arranged withthe channel facing downwardly. The width of the member I5 is less than the width of the channel of the member I2 so that the lattermay receive the member I5 therewithin when thev deviceis in collapsed position. A link I6, pivoted tolthe supporting member I5 as at I! extendsbetween the supporting member I5 and the basemember I2 and the free end of the link I6 engages, the tangs I3 to effect angular adjustment of. the supporting member 5 with respect to the base I2. The face of the member I5 is provided with a plurality of spaced prongs I 3. These prongs I8 are formed by making a three-sided cut. in the face of the member I5 and displacing outwardly the cut out portion to form an open slot between the member I5 and the prong I8. The free end of the prong is arranged to extend in a direction opposed to. the pivot end of the member I5.

Mounted on the supporting member ISQand extending therebetween to form the surface'upon which the reading material is to be disposed are a plurality of cross members 20, 2 I, and '22.' These members are preferably channel-shaped 'withthe side walls thereof slotted as at 23 adjacent to each end to fit over or receive the supporting member I5. The base of the channel-shaped members 20', 2|, and 22 are slidably received beneath the prongs I8, thus forming an interfitting locked joint between the cross members and the supporting members. The lowermost cross member 22 is provided with an outwardly extended flange 25 which serves to receive and to support the lower edges of the reading ma,- terial disposed on the stand. Referring to ,Fig ure 1, the cross members may be mounted in any desired arrangement and the number increased or decreased to suit the requirements of the reafd ing material being supported as well as the user of the device. Spring clips 25A pivoted to the members I5 may be shifted into position to hold the reading material on the stand.

Positioned adjacent each end of the channel members I2 are independently adjustable cross arm assemblies 26 which are so arranged and adjusted as to support the collapsible reading stand on the arms of chairs or the like which vary greatly in size and dimensions. This cross arm assembly 26 comprises two clip members 21 slidably positioned on the outer side of the walls of the channel member I2 with portions reversely bent around the top of said walls. The bottom edges of the clip members 21 are fixably joined by cross member 28 which is positioned adjacent to the bottom face of channel member l2. Cross member 28 has the edge portions thereof curved downwardly and inwardly to slidably receive therebetween support bar 29. To compensate for variations in the length of the supporting be moved along the channel members l2 whereas adjustment of the bar 29 of the assembly adapts the device to varying distances between the arms.

The reading stand of the present invention may be readily collapsed by pulling forwardly channel members l5 so as to release link members ill from the tangs 13 formed in the base of channel members l2 and then seating channel members 15 within the walls of channel members I2. If further disassembly is desired, cross bar members 20, 2|, 22 may be readily removed by lifting upwardly and outwardly from the prongs 18. The various elements of the device when entirely collapsed may be assembled into a relatively small compact package.

Although the foregoing device has been described somewhat in detail it is to be understood that various rearrangements and modifications of parts may be resorted to without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as herein claimed.

Iclaim:

1. A collapsible reading stand comprising a pair of spaced frame members each including a channel-shaped base member and a channel-shaped upright member pivotally connected together, means extending between said base and upright members serving to maintain said members in a plurality of angulated positions, a plurality of spaced lugs struck out from the face or said upright members, the free end of said lugs being arranged to extend in a direction opposite to the pivotal point of said frame members and a plurality of channel-shaped cross bars extending between the upright members of said frame members to form a supporting surface for reading material, said channel-shaped cross members having the sides thereof slotted so that the base thereof may be received between the face of the upright member and said lugs, said upright member adapted to be telescopically received within said base member when the stand is in collapsed position.

2. A collapsible reading stand comprising a pair of spaced frame members each including a channel-shaped base member and a channel-shaped upright member pivotally connected together, means extending between said base and upright members serving to maintain said upright members in a plurality of angulated positions with respect to the base members, channel-shaped cross bars extending between said frame members forming a supporting surface for reading material, said channel-shaped cross bars having the sides thereof slotted adjacent each end so that the base portion thereof engages the base v is in collapsed position. arms of a chair, the cross arm assembly 26 may 7 3. A collapsible reading stand comprising a pair of .spaced frame members each including a channel-shaped base member and a channel-shaped upright member pivotally connected together, means extending between said base and upright members serving to maintain said upright members in a plurality of angulated positions with respect to the base members, a plurality of channel-shaped cross bars extending between said frame members forming a supporting surface for reading material, said channel-shaped cross bars having the side walls thereof suitably slotted adjacent each end to receive the upright members and means for securing the base of said cross bars to the base of said upright members, said means including a plurality of lugs struck out from the face of the upright members and having the free ends thereof extending upwardly whereby the cross bars are first positioned over the upright members and then moved into position beneath the lugs, said upright member adapted to be telescopically received within said base member when the stand is in collapsed position, and adjustable supporting means carried by the base member of each frame member.

4. A collapsible reading stand comprising a pair of spaced frame members each including a channel-shaped base member and a channel-shaped upright member pivotally connected together, means extending between said base and upright members serving to maintain said members in a plurality of angulated positions, a plurality of spaced lugs struck out from the base of said upright member having the free ends thereof extending upwardly and a plurality of channelshaped cross bars extending between said frame members forming a supporting surface for reading material, said cross members having the sides thereof slotted to receive said upright members, and arranged to have the base of the upright members moved into position beneath said lugs whereby the upright and cross members are secured in relative position, said upright member adapted to be telescopically received within said base member when the stand is in collapsed position, and adjustable supporting means carried by the base member of each frame member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 560,073 Weisel May 12, 1896 632,384 Welch Sept. 5, 1899 1,203,659 Smith Nov. 7, 1916 1,601,997 Coss et a1 Oct. 5, 1926 2,062,553 Campos Dec. 1, 1936 2,428,673 Handel Sept. 30, 1947 

